HELP!Traditional Vs Destination Wedding

I just got engaged and we will likely do a destination wedding for the same reasons. Good luck.

We did a DW in Nassau, Bahamas. I do not regret one moment of it. We had 15 people total and it was amazing! The morning of the wedding I was floating in the lazy river and so calm the whole day. Our ceremony was so quaint and everyone said how amazing it was. I didn't have 80% of the drama that I see a lot of brides del with here. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. If you are interested I can share my pics and highlight video so you can see what it was like. It was an amazing day and I couldn't have asked for anything better! I say go for it!!!!!

You know your guests best will the ones you want to invite to the destination wedding be able to afford or travel to come. I personally would do the hometown wedding and I don't like being the center of attention either but most brides that are like that say you don't notice it.

Rebekah- Thanks that would be awesome! Thanks!!!!

Here is the link to the pro pics I posted.

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/pro-pics-are-in-pic-heavy/ea08156f4002c197.html

Here is a link to our highlight video.

http://vimeo.com/94568605

Password: hondaaccord

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask! I am not on here as often as before, but you can always message me through here.

It depends on what you want. We decided on a traditional wedding because my FI wanted more of his family and friends to be there to celebrate with us. A destination wedding is more about the couple, since less people will be able to come.

Well we have been talking and whats most important to FI is that we have fun experience for both the wedding and wedding planning. He would like a fun experience, low stress in planning, and a reasonable group of people(like 30 ish). In his opinion, a DW just feels more relaxing for the whole planning and wedding/vacation part. Also, since I will be doing most of the planning, he doesnt want me to get overwhelmed with it ( I get really bad anxiety). For me, I want quality not quantity-a small intimate, beautiful wedding, immediate family and like 10 of our closest friends. Anyone else who can and would like to make it is just topping on the cake!!

Is it weird that I have never invisioned myself doing the DW thing, but the thought of a all inclusive DW brings a calming feeling and when I think of a traditional wedding (which is what I thought I would always have) I get this automatic sense of anxiety?? Do you think thats a sign?

Funny thing is- despite thinking Id always have a traditional 130 person wedding, mother warned me 2.5-3 years ago ( before we were even engaged might I add), that she would kill me if we eloped....

notes:

We Id say about 30% of our guests would have to travel via plane and get hotels, 40% would have to drive 2 hrs/way and get hotels and the remaining 30% would be local.

- we own our own home so dont want to get too carried away with expenses

- I am extremely detail oriented so I would very easily get sucked into the details and can see myself blowing our budget

I wish we could get married home, but I just dont want the hoopla.

Clearly a destination wedding is the perfect comprimise but wonder if we'd regret not incorporating our home town. Does anyone have any ideas outside of a reception dinner at home after the wedding?

Sounds like you and your FH both want a small wedding. 30 or so people. So what's more important to you both, small, relaxing wedding and planning, or having it at home where you know you'll have about 100 more people than that? And that's 100 more people to plan for.

I would have LOVED a DW. But FH has a very traditional and older parents, they would have thrown a fit because they don't travel and never really traveled with FH, and I think FH secretly wanted a wedding here as well with more people close to us, he just wouldn't say. Plus, his parents refused to go to our wedding if we did it in Queretaro, Mexico (or anywhere in Mexico), but was my #1 choice for a DW because it's beautiful and amazing, and it's where I studied abroad in college. They think it's "unsafe". Hmph. Still bitter about their comments...but anyways.

I think you should consider it, maybe you can bring elements of your hometown. It seems like you really are most concerned with your hometown, and maybe you can find some representation to bring with you to your DW? Pictures, centerpieces, flowers, favors, anything like that?

We both agreed 75 TOPS however 30-50 people is ideal for me. I am just a better ME in smaller group settings ( always rathered one on one with friends, I get awkward and nervous in large group ( in family gathering- its weird).

The more we talk about DW, we are loving the idea more and more and you know what... the idea of incorporating our home into the wedding never crossed my mind! I know its silly but we moved away for work- not because we wanted too but if I could think of a way to bring in our home town it would be a really great way of making the DW more personal.

Thats too bad about your in-laws. SO many personalities and people putting in their input!!! its hard not to let that get to you! Thats exactly what I hate about weddings. Somehow, your special day turns into pleasing everyone else. Is everything firmed up? if its what you both want- sometimes its worth standing your ground.....My parents are extremely traditional too... I dont know how theyll react to the DW idea... but I know theyve accepted I want a small wedding. For me, the most important is that immediate family and closest friend are there (vs all relatives and cousins. They are not crazy about it but they accept it, which I am grateful......

Mexico is probably our #1 too however would like something exotic and unique like Turks and Caicos but want to keep total cost for guest at approximately $****. Is that reasonable? I have always wanted to go to the mayan Ruins so I think that would a good chance to work in but could you suggest different areas of Mexico for locations ( I am thinking cabo, maya rivera...) or the better resort companies down there for weddings?

My fiance and I decided to postpone our wedding bc the "big" wedding thing had become overwhelming AT the engagement party lol. Like another person mentioned I do better in smaller settings. It's also my fault bc I originally wanted a small wedding but somewhere along the way got into the hype of a big family style event. Yeah, that hype didn't last. DW sound more attractive the more I think about it. Go DW if you're more of a low key person.

OK, I may be the wrong one to answer, cause I did like all the attention, but we got married at home, about 60 people, and it was wonderful. I hate to think of who might not have come if we'd had a destination wedding. Also, when the wedding was over, we said "Good-bye" and we were *done*. I'd hate to wake up the next morning and find out someone had decided, "Since they were already there" to stay a few days on at the site, thus crashing my honeymoon.